Josh Donaldson named NL Comeback Player of the Year

Yes, this is Josh Donaldson news. No, the Braves have not re-signed Josh Donaldson (yet?).

Announced as a finalist for the NL Comeback Player of the Year award in mid-October, Donaldson was announced earlier this afternoon as taking home that particular bit of hardware.

The award is pretty well-deserved, as Donaldson went from an injury-marred 2018 where he appeared in just 52 games and managed only 1.3 fWAR to a bombastic 2019 season where he hit 37 homers, put up a 132 wRC+, played above-average defense, and finished with 4.9 fWAR, a top-20 mark in MLB among position players.

Earlier this offseason, Donaldson rejected a qualifying offer from the Braves and became a free agent. He has no shortage of suitors and has almost certainly put himself in line for a substantial payday with his stellar 2019 performance, which was the best by a Braves’ third baseman since Chipper Jones’ 2008, 7.1 fWAR campaign.

The award is another footnote for the Braves’ exciting 2019 season, which also resulted in Silver Slugger hardware for Freddie Freeman, Ozzie Albies, and Ronald Acuña Jr.

Donaldson had previously been voted the same honor by The Sporting News, which is not actually the same award as the one he received today.